Post by MELISANDE FABRE on Oct 25, 2012 13:19:36 GMT -5
[style=width: 400px; background-color: #eccf6a; font: 16px open sans condensed;serif; color: #000000; text-align: justify; text-transform: uppercase; line-height: 92%; padding-top: 4px; padding-bottom: 4px; border-top: solid 5px #d6c177;]MELISANDE FABRE[/style][style=width: 400px; background-color: #a65930;]
[style=width:400px;background-color: #d6c177; font: 16px open sans condensed;serif; color: #000000; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase; line-height: 92%; padding-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 3px;]THE STATISTICS[/style][style=padding: 10px; -moz-border-radius: 0px 0px 15px 15px; border-radius: 0px 0px 15px 15px; background-color: #a65930;]
| [atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,0,true][atrb=cellpadding,5,true] | [style=width: 200px; font-family: verdana;serif; color: #e4be66;]AGE| 40. GENDER| female. RANK| royal. OCCUPATION| queen. |
SEXUALITY| heterosexual.
RACE| human.
CANON OR ORIGINAL| canon.[/td][/tr][/table][/style][style=width:400px;background-color: #d6c177; font: 16px open sans condensed;serif; color: #000000; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase; line-height: 92%; padding-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 3px;]THE MAKING[/style]
[style=width: 360px; font: 10px verdana;serif; color: #e4be66;text-align:justify; background-color: #a65930]APPEARANCE | The very embodiment of grace and polished beauty, there is no doubt the lady Melisande radiates a certain sophistication that remains unmatched amongst her fellow courtiers. Every sweeping gesture, regardless of the depth of its subtlety, is executed with purpose and precision. In some respect, everything she does seems to have been practiced to an extravagant degree; as though her very existence is meant to act as a testament to the refined manner expected of royalty. To be fair, she takes her role as the face of the kingdom quite seriously. She understands that - being Queen - she has inevitably become a symbol to the people of Deflou Spero, and therefore shoulders the responsibility of behaving accordingly. Her very pride is reflected in her undeniably regal bearing, with her strides long and languid, her posture austere and her expression completely inscrutable. Ultimately, she remains a perfect enigma. Even to her own family.
And in the public eye, Melisande Fabre never falters.
Since she was a child, she's been told countless times how strongly she resembles her mother, Evelyn Desmaris. In fact, there is very little about her physical appearance that seems to have been inherited from her father, save perhaps for the definitive shape of her long and narrow nose. The Queen's features maintain a delicate, fey-like quality. From high, arching cheekbones to a pair of slanted, long-lashed eyes, to the sharp point of her chin, her lush mouth and, finally, soft flaxen curls that fall in a brilliant cascade down the length of her back; Melisande's unusual allure - reminiscent to an intoxicating perfume - is enough to overwhelm most anyone in her company. And although she is fully aware of her effect on certain individuals, she most certainly does not use it to trick, deceive or humiliate them in any way. However, she is thankful for what comfort her presence does afford others when they are forced to face the King, for his hostile behavior is often far too much to handle on one's own. In this way, she is able to successfully balance out her husband's harsh disposition with her own indestructible composure.
The most extravagant thing about the woman however, would most certainly be the impressive wardrobe she has taken years to pull together. Not by any choice of her own of course, however, being in such a position of public scrutiny means that she must present herself in a fashion suited for one of royal standing. Thus, Melisande suffers through regular fittings of custom made gowns for any occasion one could possibly imagine. They range from simple walking gowns - often created from light and airy fabrics - to more complex dinner and evening gowns. The materials for these are frequently heavy and thick, and may be paired with animal furs in the event of the cold season. She is also generally seen bedecked in valuable jewels, often in the forms of rings, ceremonial headdresses' and pendants. Most of these are, in fact, age-old heirlooms passed on through the Fabre generation. Therefore, Melisande accepted them graciously in fear that she might be offending the Fabre's good sensibilities by rejecting such generosity. This isn't to say she doesn't enjoy dressing so resplendently. After all, the confections of tulle, chiffon and silk her tailors create so effortlessly are nothing short of beautiful. Still, at times it becomes a bit tiresome, and - despite never having admitted to it aloud - Melisande occasionally wishes that she could live more simply.
Overall, she does well to represent the realm as a whole. But how much of the Queen at face value is sincere? And how much is simply a compelling façade?
PERSONALITY | The Lady Melisande Fabre is idolized by her people as a gentle and benevolent soul. And while they may be correct on some counts, she is by no means helpless to the whims of her husband and refuses for her life to be governed by either fear or uncertainty. She is a strong, vivacious woman who is perfectly at ease with the person she has become, especially in the face of such adversities as war and a broken marriage. She endures her own personal unhappiness for the sake of her children, and - for them alone - is both willing and able to feign a sense of contentment. Whether they realize the extent of the sacrifices she has made to ensure their safety and well-being, she does not know, though it would hardly make a difference even if she did. She is not someone who stews in regret or has any interest in dwelling longingly upon the past. In her opinion, the past should remain forever undisturbed. Her sole concern is for her family's future. After all, she only has so many resources and so much time at her disposal, and such things are much too precious to waste with battle on the horizon.
As a political leader, she remains steadfast and reliable. The most important thing to note is that she is careful never to make a promise or affix herself to an obligation she may be unable to honor. She is also reputed to be an incredibly magnetic speaker. This is possibly the reason why she tends to handle the public relations work and peacekeeping missions - neither of which are the King's strongest suit and certainly not issues he has any interest in trifling himself with - in relation to their country and its allies. With a sharp mind and literary eloquence, Melisande has proven herself a seasoned wordsmith. She thoroughly enjoys such things as philosophical debate and other intellectual pursuits that the King has so often declared as utter nonsense. This is why she is forced to seek company outside of his approval, yearning for the company of someone who appreciates and encourages her individualism and creative spirit.
Perhaps the Queen's noblest qualities however, are her admirable resilience and sheer sense of dauntlessness. She remains brave even when in contention with her husband's foul temper; aware of the consequences of her actions but still undeterred in her determination and willfulness. When she stumbles, she's quick to pick herself back up and start anew. Not easily defeated or discouraged, it takes several failures before she allows herself to surrender. Often she wonders whether that refusal to submit or cower before life's hardships was what initially drew her husband to her. Still, it remains nothing more than a passing thought, as it's clear now that he resents the rebellious vixen she has since morphed into. Even without stating it aloud, she suspects as much.
Yes, even the beloved Queen of Deflou Spero harbors her own dark secrets and discernible flaws. Most famously, she is known to be something of an adulterer. That is to say, she has fostered intimate - and undeniably forbidden - relationships outside the sanctity of her marriage to the King. This of course could very well be considered treason and, should she be charged and convicted of such a crime, would likely be put to death. In Melisande's own defense, she was forced to commit such treachery by the hand of the King himself, unable to maintain her fidelity when her husband steadily became more of a stranger to her as the years passed. He had very little time to spare for her, considered her interests irrelevant and childish, and was intensely possessive of her. To the point where she felt more like a prisoner within the palace walls, than a wife or a partner. Part of her does feel a pang of guilt for her many indiscretions, however, she consoles herself with the fact that the King fathered an illegitimate child of his own. And one that she has come to love unconditionally, even if the child himself does not reciprocate her feelings. There's no denying that she's also profoundly stubborn. Unyielding in her opinions and her decisions, it is another quirk of hers that has caused much strife between herself and the King. Ultimately he may have the final word, but Melisande is very much aware of how much sway she holds over him, and isn't about to allow him to doom their country or their people without putting in a word first. Indeed, she is not one to stand idly by and watch. She is a proactive individual, and makes every effort to achieve fair results for either party involved; regardless of the potential consequences she might face. You could also say, this is where her maternal instincts come into play.
Frankly, she's doomed to act selflessly without any sort of recognition or acknowledgement. And to be quite honest, that suits her just fine. As long as her children are safe, she is satisfied that she has accomplished her job as their mother.
There was a time when she had cherished her husband, and treated him with respect and admiration. She had been a strong source of support for him, and their relationship had been relatively stable. But power corrupts a man, and his desire because insatiable. She'd remained openly devoted to him for as long as she could manage, but then it had all become nothing more than an act. And that's when the lies had begun to spill so easily from between her lips. It was as though she'd done it a thousand times already. Eventually, she found that deception was something at which she was considerably talented. Though it tore at her good conscience, she knew that wouldn't have been able to survive the marriage without someone there to take her by the hand and reassure her that everything would turn out in the end, even if it felt as though she were giving up everything to remain his Queen. So you understand now, that her intentions were not simply born of spite. She had been desperate. And desperate women sometimes do very foolish things.
A mother first. A dedicated, enigmatic Queen second. And, finally, a reluctant wife. She wishes no more than to lead their country and their family to prosperity. But with the threat of the rebellion being whispered about on the street, and the prospect of war becoming more of a possibility with each passing day, she realizes just how far-fetched her goals really are. Still, there is no doubt she will fight to the end.
With, or without the King by her side.[/style][style=padding: 10px; -moz-border-radius: 0px 0px 15px 15px; border-radius: 0px 0px 15px 15px;]
| [atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,0,true][atrb=cellpadding,5,true] | [style=width: 200px; font: 10px verdana;serif; color: #e4be66;]LIKES: ■ peace and solitude ■ her children ■ astronomy and philosophy ■ witty banter and debate ■ gothic poetry and literature ■ spending time in the library ■ afternoon strolls | [style=width: 200px;font: 10px verdana;serif; color: #e4be66;]DISLIKES: ■ her husband's tyranny ■ false accusations ■ cowardice and liars ■ rumors and gossip ■ ignorance and stupidity ■ arrogance and bullying ■ the impending war |
[style=width: 360px; font: 10px verdana;serif; color: #e4be66;text-align:justify; background-color: #a65930]WEAPON | Melisande carries no weaponry on her person. Simply, she has no use for such things, as she is continuously watched over and protected by her Guardian. However, she is well-versed in some styles of swordplay. It is mostly a formality that all royalty - and sometimes even nobility - are encouraged to learn.
WEAPON LEVEL | Refer above.
SPECIAL ABILITY |
■ ( CURE ) - For all intents and purposes, a healing spell. Since she was a young girl, she has exhibited signs of having a strong affinity for the healing arts. This was especially uncommon in Humans at that time, which made Melisande something of a treasured anomaly. Once sworn in to the Royal family, she was given inordinate amounts of time to train with some of the most seasoned wielders of magic the Kingdom had to offer, and quickly honed and perfected the powerful ability to heal almost any wound, regardless of its severity. However, it came accompanied with dire consequences. Depending upon the extent of the injury, and how much magic it actually consumes, Melisande becomes immediately disoriented and weak. This is due to the fact that she is transferring quite a lot of her own life force into the victim in question, which leaves her in a substantially delicate and vulnerable state. Sometimes, she may even be required to rest for several days after treating said individual. Additionally, it takes exactly two IC posts for her to successfully heal someone. If the wound is exaggerated however, it may require up to three IC posts for her to complete the healing process. The cooldown process lasts exactly two posts. Despite popular belief, she cannot bring anyone back from the dead and is unable to reattach such things as severed limbs.
■ ( EMPATHY ) - Developed naturally after she bore her first child, Melisande has the ability to perceive and decipher the emotional well-being of the people around her. It does not require touch, and her sense for it is quite keen. This doesn't mean she can manipulate their emotions of course, though it has been said she has a very soothing presence. It is also possible for her to 'turn off' this power at will, as it continually consumes her energy the more often she uses it. Unfortunately, there are times when - if the emotion of the person or group is particularly strong - it may latch itself on to her and transfer from one party to the other. What this means is, she can become overwhelmed by someone's sadness without actually feeling sad herself. For instance, when she is in the company of the King, his anger and resentment is often overpowering, and leaves her feeling very out of sorts. It also is often the cause of emotional exhaustion, especially if Melisande does not have a firm hold on it. It is also possible for her to vaguely detect when someone is lying to her, although she is unable to pinpoint the exact individual and what they are lying about unless they are the only other person in the room at the time.
ARMOR | Melisande does indeed own a leather vest in the event of an emergency, though it is level one and rarely worn. When it is donned, she wears it beneath her gown.
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| [atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,0,true][atrb=cellpadding,5,true] | [style=width: 200px; font: 12px verdana;serif; color: #e4be66;]STRENGTHS: ■ some swordplay ■ stealth tactics ■ strategy ■ healing | [style=width: 200px;font: 12px verdana;serif; color: #e4be66;]WEAKNESSES: ■ close-combat ■ physical defense ■ physical attack ■ her children |
[style=width: 360px; font: 10px verdana;serif; color: #e4be66;text-align:justify; background-color: #a65930]INVENTORY |
■ ANCIENT PENDANT - A heavy pendant that she is often seen wearing, regardless of the occasion. It is obvious the piece of jewelery is precious to her, as she keeps it carefully hidden beneath her clothing whenever possible and refuses to allow even her children to touch or examine it. In truth, it is a talisman that has been imbued with great magical capacity, of which she is able to tap into at any time. Additionally, it provides her with strengthened results in the event that she is healing. Otherwise, it simply looks like an ornate and decorative piece of pure gold set with a beautiful red stone.
■ POISON COMB - A delicate silver comb inlaid with grey pearls and precious stones. It is made entirely of ivory, and the teeth have been dipped in a lethal poison, undetectable by scent or appearance, that will instantaneously paralyze - and eventually kill - anyone from which it draws blood. It was given to her by her husband shortly after they were married, as a means of protection against unwanted attention. She has never used it, and intends not to, although the King refuses to allow her to attend any function without having it in her possession. She keeps it nestled in her hair for show. [/style]
[style=width:400px;background-color: #d6c177; font: 16px open sans condensed;serif; color: #000000; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase; line-height: 92%; padding-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 3px;]THE HISTORY[/style]
[style=width: 360px; font: 10px verdana;serif; color: #e4be66;text-align:justify; background-color: #a65930]It certainly is a sad truth, that Melisande is only able to recall vague details of a once happy, albeit simple, childhood.
The sound of the winding river in the east for instance, as it splashed across river rock and lapped at the mossy bank. The smell of freshly baked bread from the confectioner's storefront. The sun-warmed cobblestones, and the sound of children's laughter as they ran jovially through the street, their mother's calling after them to take care and mind their manners. Life had been uncomplicated then, and she'd known nothing of responsibility outside of helping her mother with supper or fetching a pail of water. She'd been taught to appreciate the smaller things in life from an early age. Things that others take for granted or overlook in their hurry. She'd been a commoner, living in a village somewhere on the outskirts of Toluwi City. In fact, she'd never once visited Skara before her eventual coronation. An ignorant back-woods girl who would bring their Kingdom nothing but shame.
That's what they'd said, when she'd first appeared in the royal Court. That she was a passing fancy of the King's - a mere slip of a girl - an an embarrassment to them all. She hadn't understood at the time, from where such hostility stemmed. After all, it hadn't been her choice to become Queen. She'd been plucked out of obscurity by a youthful King who would not be denied. Powerless, it struck her as a bit unfair to be so openly judged when she'd had no say of her own. Not surprisingly, the backlash that soon turned into full-out war caught Melisande entirely off-guard. It shook her to her very core, and she had genuinely feared for her life then. But the King had laid a reassuring hand upon her shoulder, and vowed that he would allow no harm to befall her. She'd admired him then. Had trusted him. And - in the end - he'd kept his word. Vanquishing any and all who opposed him with an iron fist and unparallelled resolve. The Phoenix King, they'd called him. He'd spilled much blood, took the Kingdom within the palm of his hand, and orchestrated a takeover no one had predicted would be so successful. When it was all over, he'd earned the respect and fear that he'd for so long spoken of. And although she found herself wary of her new husband, she was also unfathomably proud of him.
The few years that followed marked a difficult time for the couple indeed.
Despite the King's efforts, several noble families remained that denounced Lukas' reign and condemned her for her common heritage. In fact, she was called several things when her back was turned. The King's Whore, deceitful wench, 'nothing more than a manipulative little harlot'. The abuse went on for a lengthily period of time. It enraged the King, but there was very little he could do to prevent it. At one time, Melisande had even been accused of witchcraft and dabbling in dark magic. And that is when her husband decided to forcibly intervene. People began to disappear at his command, and never be seen or heard from again. There were whispers of torture, of unimaginable crimes against humanity that went on behind closed doors. Melisande herself dismissed them as glamorized ramblings, but somewhere deep within her heart, she feared that there might in fact be some semblance of truth to those tales.
And then, Archibald was born. The only child conceived in a time when she and her husband had shared a genuine love and affection for one another. He had been a healthy baby, and she'd become absolutely enamored with him the moment he'd opened his eyes. But as he grew older, the King became increasingly more strict in his plans for the boy. Her was the rightful heir to the throne after all, and Lukas would ensure that he was raised in a fashion that befitting of a man who would someday inherit the throne. Melisande of course understood and empathized with her husband, but still felt somewhat vexed that her first born would not be allowed to enjoy his childhood as he was meant to. He had been forced to mature at faster rate than most youth his age. And it deeply concerned her. But Lukas would not be reasoned with, and thus, the deterioration of the marriage began when she stepped in to defend her offspring.
The twins arrived a few years thereafter, and were surrounded with extravagant gossip. It was rumored that neither of them had been born as a result of the King's seed, despite the fact that both of them bore the mark of the Royals. Whether said gossip reached the King's ears or not, Melisande did not know. But she became fearful for her own safety and well-being, certain that if her secret liaisons were discovered, she would surely lose her children. If not her own life. Eventually it became easy enough to feign innocence, considering the fact that both children had the trademark blonde hair that was shared with the first-born. And so, after awhile, people seemed to forget all about the scandal. At least until Caeius was born. The wild, dark-haired baby was obviously no child of hers. With stark raven hair and a disposition unlike any of her other kin. The truth came to light when the servant girl that had acquiesced to the King's invitation into his bed made a shocking announcement. He had carried on an affair behind her back. The girl had fled, and the King vowed to destroy the evidence of his tryst if it was the last thing he'd do. However, in a fit of sudden affection, Melisande threw herself between the babe; shielding him from her husband's wrath. And as a result of her pleading, the infant was permitted to live under her care.
Her last child - another product of an alleged affair - would be the only known dishonesty of the Queen's that the King would eventually discover. Needless to say, he cursed the day he had married her, and even went so far to curse the child herself ... though it was no fault of her own. To the King, Melisande had become his greatest source of pain and frustration. How could she have wronged him so? How could she have forsaken the vows they had made to one another before the witness of their God? She had no answers for him, and decided against referring his own indiscretions, for fear he would strike out at her. Eventually they forced themselves to grin and bear through all of their injustices towards one another. Their marriage ultimately became a loveless one, and the King's aggression grew tenfold. Her betrayal would be the catalyst for the relentless, power-hungry leader he would become.
And although there was nothing left to salvage of their once happy union, he had managed to father one child she would forever adore. It was the one gift he had given her that she could cherish. And although she is saddened by the fact that things may very well never be the same between them, she has her children. And really, they are all she needs for her life to feel complete. [/style]
[style=width: 400px; background-color: #eccf6a; font: 12px open sans condensed;serif; color: #000000; text-align: center; text-transform: uppercase; line-height: 92%; padding-top: 4px; padding-bottom: 4px; border-bottom: solid 5px #d6c177;]FEY | FACECLAIM: MACROSS FRONTIER - SHERYL NOME | TEMPLATE CREATED BY CHARIZA OF ote[/style][/style]
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